Among the Philippians, evil workers were active who mixed law and grace (Philippians 3:1–4). They claimed that circumcision was necessary in order to be saved. These Jewish workers rejected justification by faith alone.
Seven Privileges
Paul shows that he himself had formerly been a strictly religious Jew. In Philippians 3:5–6 he lists seven points:
- “circumcised the eighth day” – he had been circumcised according to regulations, in keeping with the Law of Moses.
- “of the nation of Israel” – he belonged to God’s covenant people and was not a Gentile.
- “of the tribe of Benjamin” – he belonged to one of the two tribes of Israel that returned to the promised land after the captivity.
- “a Hebrew of Hebrews” – he had an unmixed line of descent and was deeply rooted in traditional Judaism.
- “as to the Law, a Pharisee” – he took the Law very seriously and was part of the strictest sect in Judaism.
- “as to zeal, a persecutor of the church” – his zeal against “heretical ideas” was so great that he took on the exhausting task of persecution.
- “as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless” – no violation of the Law could be proven against him.
Four Realizations
These advantages were his “gain”; he was proud of them. But then Jesus met him on a journey to Damascus. Saul immediately knew that he had to serve this Lord in heaven. His attitude changed radically (Philippians 3:7–8):
- “But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ.” – Paul suddenly saw his gain as loss.
- “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,” – he permanently maintained the negative assessment of his religious advantages.
- “for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,” – the loss was not only theoretical; Paul experienced it in concrete terms as well.
- “and count them mere rubbish,” – he did not mourn his standing in the religious world, because for him it was now only rubbish.
Seven Desires
As a Christian, Paul now had completely new values and desires (Philippians 3:8–11):
- “gain Christ” – he wanted to gain Christ and rejoice in Him.
- “and may be found in Him” – he wanted to live out what it means to be “in Christ.”
- “the righteousness from God on the basis of faith” – he held firmly to the truth that God had justified him on the basis of his faith. His own righteousness was no longer an option at all.
- “that I may know Him” – Paul strove to know his Lord more and more.
- “and the power of His resurrection” – he wanted to experience in his life and service the divine power that was at work in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 1:19).
- “and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” – equipped with divine power, he desired, like his Master, to go the path of suffering all the way to death.
- “if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” – it was his desire to experience the resurrection from the dead (when the day for it has come).
Seven Decisions
Paul’s goals led to a consistent life (Philippians 3:12–14):
- “Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect,” – he realized that he did not yet enjoy perfect fellowship with the Lord Jesus; he was not yet perfected.
- “but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” – he put all his energy into having as much of Christ as possible.
- “for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” – he was aware that he lived with purpose only because Christ had taken hold of him.
- “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind” – he no longer thought about his religious career with all its pleasant side benefits.
- “and reaching forward to what lies ahead,” – he reached out for what lay ahead of him, where perfect joy in Jesus awaited him.
- “I press on toward the goal” – he constantly looked to the goal: heaven.
- “for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Paul moved joyfully and resolutely toward the prize: the enjoyment of the blessings in glory.
Three Mindsets
Not everyone who professes to follow Jesus Christ lives as decisively as Paul. The Word of God shows three groups (Philippians 3:15–19):
- The mature-minded: Like Paul, they have only the Lord Jesus in view. They are examples for others (Philippians 3:15a, 17).
- The otherwise-minded: They are not yet as far along spiritually. They should continue decisively on the path of faith. God will make it clear to them (even more) what matters in the Christian life (Philippians 3:15b–16).
- The earthly-minded: They live entirely focused on this side of things. Their life stands in contrast to what Christianity is all about. The end of these mere professing believers is destruction (Philippians 3:18–19).
Three Main Points
The last two verses form the climax of this chapter (Philippians 3:20–21). Three important points can be highlighted:
- “For our citizenship is in heaven,” – here we are shown where our home is: it is heaven. We think about it and look forward to it.
- “from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;” – here we are shown who brings us to heaven: the Lord Jesus saves us out of this world. We await His coming.
- “who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” – here we are shown how we get to heaven: we receive a new body that fits glory.
Soon—in eternity—we will be with Christ in heaven. That should shape all our thinking and actions even now. We are citizens of heaven!